Dist. 101 budget being altered

Deficit $200,000 lower than expected

The Morris Community High School District 101 board approved some amendments to the tentative budget for fiscal year 2013, which will be up for final approval next month.

During its board meeting Monday, the board heard updates on where the budget stands currently. A budget hearing and final approval will occur at the June 10 board meeting.

Superintendent Dr. Pat Halloran said the Education Fund is expecting a $13,899 overall decrease from original estimates.

There is an estimated $32,662 decrease expected due to decreases in the local tax levy, Tax Increment Financing funds and other funding, but there is also an expected increase in revenue of $18,763 from state and federal sources, which brings the overall decrease down to the $13,899.

In total, the original revenues for the Education Fund were predicted at $7,893,790 and are amended at $7,879,891.

The Education Fund is also expected to see a decrease from initial expenditures.

“We always plan expenditures a little high and hope we come in a little less and they have,” said Halloran.

There was an increase of a little more than $25,000 in legal services.

“This is due to Midwest Generation’s pending litigation from 2003,” said Halloran.

The litigation is due to property assessment challenges from both the company and the taxing bodies. Halloran said Midwest Generation is now filing for bankruptcy, so they are hoping for a resolution next month.

Despite this increase, the Education Fund is expected to see a $149,270 decrease in tuition, salary and equipment expenses, and another $108,118 decrease in TIF payments and special education tuition. Morris high receives all of the TIF payments for the high school, Morris Elementary School District 54 and Saratoga School District 60C and then writes the checks for the other schools. Since they received less TIF money from the city than expected, the estimated payouts are less.

This all brings the total decrease in estimated expenditures to $232,620, said Halloran.

The original expenditures were predicted at $10,042,234. With the amendments, they are estimated to be $9,809,614 now.

With these changes, the district’s deficit will lower by $218,721, from more than $2.1 million to $1,929,723.

“That’s better news though and that’s where you want to be,” said board Vice President Jim Paulson.